SC issues notice on plea to ban cigarettes

The Supreme Court Thursday issued notice on a PIL seeking a complete ban on the production of cigarettes and other tobacco products across the country.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice R.M. Lodha said it was for the lawmakers to decide.

Appealing for the PIL petitioner filmmaker Sunil Rajpal, counsel Aditya Agrawal told the court that the money spent on the treatment of smoking-related ailments comes to Rs.30,000 crore per annum which flies in the face of revenue earning arguments on not banning the tobacco industry.

The notice was issued to the central government and all state governments and union territories.